Saturday, September 01, 2007

Perspective

This was a tough week for me at times. First off there were challenges at work. The part time lady got mad at the office manager and quit. The doctor made the office manager hire her back. Needless to say there was some tension when she came back. Now when this happened I just kept out of it. I found out later the part time lady, when in talks about coming back, tried to make it seem like I was adding work to her load. I have to tell you that is not the case. I only ask for help once in a while when things get backed up to keep the flow of patients moving smoothly. The office manager fortunately didn’t buy it.

I’ve had trouble with running toilets that won’t stop. I finally just shut it off. I knew enough to figure that out.

To add to the mix Tom has been away at Burning Man. He has gone away before for business and I miss him but it’s usually not horrible because we talk daily. This time around he was in the middle of the desert and communication was limited. I haven’t heard from him for the last two days. I know this sounds like I’m being a baby, but after all these years together I love and appreciate him. I enjoy being with him. My heart’s desire is to quit my job and travel with him, write and do full time ministry by his side. In all the years together we haven’t had this much limited communication before and my heart ached.

This morning I attended a funeral for a friend. A young man who went to work one morning and at 34 years old was discovered passed out at his desk. He leaves behind a lovely wife and four small children – ages six and under. The family didn’t invite us to a funeral instead they asked that we join them for a “Celebration of Life.” The service was exactly what Chris would have wanted, food, fellowship and a time of worship. He was a gifted worship leader and recorded some of his own music. As a matter of fact, he was putting the finishing touches on his latest CD. One day his wife will see him again for that is what we believe as Christians, but it won’t be tomorrow.

In light of all this I put my feelings of longing for Tom in perceptive. I will see him tomorrow night. I’ve missed him and longed for his embrace, but I don’t have to wait for eternity.

No matter how tough life may seem, keeping the right perception on the situation is helpful. My week was not as bad now as it seemed earlier. The longing in my heart is not as far away as it once seemed. I’m reminded of the words of my good friend, Jimmy when he lost his five year daughter to cancer. He told Tom, “I don’t know much, but this much I do know; 1 – God is good and 2 – He loves me.” These things keep life in perspective for me. As Tom would say, everything else starts at number 3.

© Nadine Z. 2007

21 comments:

Dedee said...

I'm praying for you. Sometimes it seems like life just piles up.

Thanks for the number 3. I need to remember it right now.

palmtreefanatic said...

yes...wow! This just goes to show you life IS really short!
enjoy every moment we have...

I pray the waiting for Tom will be VERY short so he comes home soon to you!

Anonymous said...

I can totally relate. Although I have not been with my husband as long as you with yours, I am devastated when he leaves. I would not make a good travels for business wife! In fact my husband will be gone for THREE days next week and I am a mess just thinking about it. Yet when you spoke of your friend and their loss ... gasp ... total perspective eh?

C. H. Green said...

Thanks for the reminders.

Demara said...

Wow Nadine, crazy times for you for sure! I can't believe that that Chris fellow was discovered passed out at 34!?!?! Man!

Anonymous said...

Amen. Love you :)

Erin said...

Praying the next week holds more positives for you! My heart goes out to the wife and children of your friend who died. What a tragedy. It sure does put everything stressful and negative into perspective. Thanks for the reminder.

Anonymous said...

praying for ya:P

Ann(ie) said...

Yes. It all comes at once especially when our honey is out of town and we don't have a comfy place to fall.

***sending e hugs****

And I adore the celebration of life idea. Such a sad story. I too believe that we will be reconnected with our loved ones when we go. My boy is named afer a close friend of ours that passed of Pancreatic Cancer at the young age of 32. We celebrated his life and can't wait to see him again one day....he'll be waiting for us with a giant drink and his trademark giant smile.

xxoo.

Tammy said...

Oh, I'm sorry, Nadine. You DO have so much on your plate this past week...so glad Tom is coming back now and that will help, I know. And so good to know the Lord is right there with us when we're feeling overwhelmed!

Knit-Wit said...

Weeks like this are always tough - I can't imagine going through them without knowing Jesus.

EM said...

Seeing the big picture can always give us a greater understanding for the immediate. Love you Nadine!

Jill said...

h gosh. I hope this coming week is better and that Tom arrives (arrived?) home safely.

Amanda said...

I agree, I am learning over and over that perspective is so important.

Deb said...

Funny how we can look at someone elses life and realize ours is not as bad as it seems. I hope and pray that Tom gets home soon. It's hard when they are away. I miss my hubs when he is away too.

Art said...

Those kinds of things really do put our troubles into perspective, don't they? I'm praying for that young man's family...

Diane Viere said...

Bless you Nadine! You are so right.....perspective is such an important tool when we are struggling. I am so sorry that you are going through a turbulent time without your husband nearby to talk to. And yet, you have a grateful heart--yes, he will be home soon.

I will keep this young family in my prayers as I think of them today. Such a loss. Such heartbreak. As a Christian, I have often wondered how non-believers make it through such sorrow. We do have the hope and certain knowledge that we will be reunited one day in heaven--this provides such peace and comfort....even in the midst of such deep pain. Even with this hope, the pain can be so raw.

I will also pray that things will subside at work--while they may seem small by comparison--the ramifications of a work place entanglement can still be paralyzing! YUK! And may God bless this situation with peace and understanding.

God Bless you Nadine.

Diane

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Perspective is always a good thing, although I'm sorry you were having such a bad time of things.

Hopefully things have been looking up :)

eph2810 said...

Nadine, it is so true that sometimes we need to different perspective on our own situations. I am so sorry that this young man passed aways. I am hurting for his wife and children.

Sandy said...

Wow, great perspective Nadine!
My heart breaks for the widow.
Sandy

Keshi said...

Life is very short...too often ppl dun realise that. And we dun hv to die young for life to be short...we sometimes live 'short' too..not seeing the bigger picture of Life..what it really means n all.

Keshi.